Prospect of the Week: February 11, 2013

We continue our Prospect of the Week award, an honor (virtually) given to one Tampa Bay Lightning prospect for their recent contributions on and off the ice.

The Prospect of the Week for February 12 is … Alex Killorn, C/W, Tampa Bay (NHL – USA)

More than five years after his draft day, Alex Killorn made his NHL debut for the Tampa Bay Lightning at the world’s most famous arena.

Killorn, a third round pick of the Bolts in 2009, had an assist on Sunday in the Lightning’s 5-1 loss to the Rangers at Madison Square Garden. Killorn started on the third line, but worked his way up to a scoring line with Vincent Lecavalier and Teddy Purcell by game’s end. He brought grit on the forecheck and his willingness to play in front of the net resulted in an assist.

The Lightning brought Killorn to the big club to add size and skill to the Bolts’ third line. Dana Tyrell was waived and assigned to AHL Syracuse.

Killorn joins fellow members of the 2012 Calder Cup Champion Norfolk Admirals Cory Conacher, Keith Aulie, and now Richard Panik as members of the Lightning. Panik was called up on Monday after Ryan Malone was put on I.R. All three former Admirals forwards, who started the year with the AHL’s Syracuse Crunch, will be relied on for offense and energy moving forward with Tampa Bay.

Killorn, who had 16 goals and 38 points in 44 games with Syracuse, started last week with the Crunch, notching an assist on Friday night in Syracuse’s 4-2 win over Adirondack. He was scratched on Saturday in preparation for his NHL debut.

We congratulate Alex on reaching the NHL and for his impressive debut he is our Prospect of the Week.

Honorable Mention: Matt Peca from Quinnipiac University extended his point streak to eight games for the nation’s new No. 1 team.